Written answers

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Department of Justice and Equality

Immigration Policy

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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778. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to further extend all immigration permissions beyond 20 April 2021 in view of the ongoing level 5 restrictions, the international travel advice currently in place and the entry restrictions in other countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16395/21]

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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779. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to further extend all international protection permissions beyond 20 April 2021 in view of the ongoing level 5 restrictions, the international travel advice currently in place and the entry restrictions in other countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16396/21]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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828. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there will be an additional extension allowed for expired immigration permits given the situation with Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17321/21]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 778, 779 and 828 together.

For people currently living in Ireland and who hold either a valid immigration or an international protection permission registered with my Department, I announced on 26 March 2021, that all such permissions due to expire between 21 April 2021 and 20 September 2021, are automatically renewed to 20 September 2021.

In each instance, the automatic renewal of permission is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions attach. In relation to persons with existing permission under Directive 2004/38/EC (Free Movement Directive), the automatic renewal is subject to the requirement that the person is complying with the requirements of the Directive.

This is the seventh, and expected to be the final, extension of permissions granted since the outset of the pandemic. Any permission that was renewed by the previous notices is also automatically renewed by this notice until 20 September 2021.

The temporary extension of immigration permissions means that anyone who held a valid permission to be in the State in March 2020 is legally permitted to remain until 20 September 2021, even if their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card has expired and they are awaiting a new one.

All renewals in the Dublin area are now being processed online only and the system has been available for all applicants since 20 July 2020 at . Online renewal applications continue to be accepted and processed. I encourage Dublin based customers who can use the online system, to do so and to not wait until September.

The Registration Office in Burgh Quay remains closed as a result of the Level 5 COVID-19 restrictions announced by Government in December. Customers who were issued with appointments for first time registrations will be prioritised for appointments once the Public Office can safely reopen. As first time registration requires the taking of biometrics - fingerprints - this cannot be done online.

Registrations outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau through the Garda Station network. Information on the contact details for all the registration offices outside Dublin is available at: .

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